Ollie Theme Academy

Understanding Settings

Introduction to removing customization

Removing settings from the block editor isn’t always straightforward because the visual interface doesn’t perfectly match the underlying technical structure of WordPress’s settings system.

In the paragraph block, everything in the sidebar looks the same, but color, typography, and dimensions can be controlled through theme.json, while the Advanced section is built into the block itself and can’t be removed.

Some blocks like Post Title make this clearer with separate Settings and Styles tabs. You can remove everything under Styles via theme.json, but Settings tab items are usually part of the block’s core functionality.

The Group block adds complexity because some “Settings” items (like content width) actually connect to theme.json’s layout settings. Understanding these distinctions helps you plan your block theme’s editing experience more effectively.

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